Be a mentor
Susan and I spent last Saturday with my aunt and uncle. They weren't able to have kids so I was blessed that he treated me like a son. Ralph more less taught me to fish and hunt in every way that he did. And he did everything; fished for bass/white perch/trout/shellcracker with conventional rod or fly, how to hunt deer and small game, tie flies, build self-bows and arrows. I could go on. He taught me to be an ethical sportsman; respecting the game and knowing the difference in hunting versus killing. Ralph had the first Contender I'd ever seen, in .44 Remington Magnum, of course. I credit him with lighting my fire for handgun hunting (Larry Weishuhn gets a little credit, too).
Like everyone else, they're getting old. He's 86 and can't get around like he once did.ย There wonโt be duck hunts in the buck brush or chasing a squirrel dog through the timber this Fall. His memory slips at times but he can remember every trout that took his fly, the turkey that busted him while trying to get a decoy set up or the very first deer I killed. The lessons he taught me will forever be remembered. Memories cherished.
Be that guy for someone
Great post. I certainly try to do my part. I feel like a lot of us are trying to be mentors and good examples.